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Using your septic system correctly is an important part of keeping your home running smoothly. When it’s working properly, the septic system runs in the background, so you probably don’t give it much thought. If it backs up, though, no one in your household is going to be happy until the problem is fixed. Knowledge of a few critical do’s and don’ts will help you keep your septic system working properly.

Important Septic System Do’s and Don’ts

Do familiarize yourself with the location of your septic system and the drain field. Either make a sketch or take photos of it when you have it pumped out.

Don’t plant anything over or close to the septic system or the drain field, except grass. Tree and shrub roots can migrate over to the drain lines, potentially leading to clogs and damage.

Do place cooking grease into a container so that it can harden. Then throw it out in the garbage.

Don’t dispose of cooking grease by pouring it down the kitchen drain or the toilet.

Do stagger your water use throughout the day and the week. Install a low-flow shower head and an aerator in your kitchen sink.

Don’t use the washing machine, dishwasher, shower and toilet at the same time. It can put a strain on your septic system. If you’re doing laundry, the best strategy is to do a couple of loads each day, rather than saving it up and doing several loads in one day.

Do have any leaks from your faucet or toilet repaired promptly.

Don’t use any additives in your septic tank. They don’t perform as advertised and may even damage your septic system.

Do have your septic system inspected each year. Have it pumped out every three-five years, on the schedule recommended for the type of system you own.

Do contact a licensed sanitary service contractor if you have any questions or concerns about your septic system. Don’t ignore signs that you have a problem. These can be a foul smell, slowdown in your toilet plumbing, wet ground over your septic tank or gurgling in your pipes. Our technicians are skilled at grease trap cleaning, certified OSS Inspections.

Do Use Our Service for Your Maintenance Needs

Lil’ John Sanitary Service is your expert source for septic system inspections and pump-outs. Contact us to schedule a service call today. Our services also include portable toilets.

We appreciate Lil John's dedication to customer service, delivering fast and friendly service to all our job sites, as well as competitive pricing.
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Excellent customer service over the phone and in person. The driver answered all my questions and was very clear on preventative measures and likely culprit of the issue I was experiencing. Highly recommend. Competitive pricing too.